CHENNAI: The Indian men’s cricket team’s newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is determined to establish strong relationships with players and guide Indian cricket into a fresh era. Although he acknowledges that his tenure has just begun, Gambhir is dedicated to building connections with the team and emphasizing the importance of adaptability in various situations.

On a sweltering Tuesday afternoon at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Indian captain Rohit Sharma was seen practicing rigorously in the center-wicket ahead of the opening Test against Bangladesh. However, beyond the nets, a more fascinating interaction took place. Gambhir, India’s head coach, was in deep conversation with star batsman Virat Kohli and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Despite their past disagreements, Kohli and Gambhir were seen sharing a laugh—a rare sight given Gambhir’s often stern demeanor. This moment revealed a different side of Gambhir, challenging previous perceptions.

Since his appointment, Gambhir has been actively engaged with the team, including a recent tour to Sri Lanka. As the Test series against Bangladesh kicks off, Gambhir is focused on setting a definitive direction for Indian cricket. He has openly recognized the process of acclimating to his new role, stating, “I’ve played with some of the guys who have now become experienced. When you have that kind of relationship, sometimes it gets much easier. Obviously, now the roles are different. I feel that it’s still early days, but yes, there’s a lot of cricket and more importantly, I think the relationship we can build over a period of the next couple of years is going to be very important for Indian cricket. It’s not only about me, to be honest. I think it’s about all of us sitting in that room and having that one mission to keep taking Indian cricket forward.”

Gambhir has made it clear that his coaching style will be results-driven. “The best style is the style that wins,” he asserted. He stressed the importance of adaptability, saying, “We want guys to be playing the situation, the conditions, and then keep growing every day. And that is all that matters. You know, all this, giving a name to a certain style and playing only one way, see, ultimately sport is all about results.”

In his new role, Gambhir is particularly focused on nurturing young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has faced challenges against pace bowling. He aims to ensure that the best possible XI is fielded for each game. Emerging players such as Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are also on his radar, although they might need to step aside for established stars like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. “Sometimes you just have to wait for the opportunity and keep working hard, keep doing the right things. Because whenever the opportunity comes in, India has got a really long Test season ahead. So there will be opportunities. So make sure that these guys are ready whenever they get that opportunity. And that is what is called bench strength. Because only 11 can play, fortunately or unfortunately. More importantly, I think we’ll try and get the best playing XI on the park every single time,” Gambhir explained.

The partnership between Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma will be crucial for the team’s success. Rohit has acknowledged the necessity for adaptability and has affirmed the strong understanding between him and Gambhir.

As Gambhir himself noted, “It is still early days,” and the forthcoming months—including the home Tests and the series against New Zealand in Mumbai—will provide a clearer picture of his coaching tenure and the future trajectory of Indian cricket.